I love an historical fiction rooted in fact. Anna Mazzola gets to the bones of the injustice in The Book of Secrets whilst her character building breathes life into the story and gives it shape. There's no sure way of knowing their personalities from names in a document (or even their actions) but this author has a fabulous skill in making them feel real to us.

I haven't felt so conflicted about a main character ever! Stefano is so likeable ... He's bowed down from the expectations of his father and those he wants to impress, to move up from being a junior magistrate. At times I felt so enraged I wanted him to suffer, or wanted him to get a backbone and fight back. Yet underneath it all I totally empathised, he had no idea what was really happening. And when he did, he was in a quandary.

His moral dilemma is reflected in Girolama's experiences. She questions herself and isn't sure whether what her and her women have been doing is always the right thing. And of course as is still true today, power and influence causes arrogance and the feeling that you can get away with anything (although the tide might be turning ...).

There are some really harrowing scenes which are uncomfortable. I often wonder how author's can shake off their feelings as they 'live' the stories they create.

I loved the pace, the setting and the herbal lore passed down from mother to daughter. The story is thought-provoking and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Perfect.

Wily women and murdered men…

Rome in the mid-17th century is recovering after a severe outbreak of plague. But it comes to the attention of the authorities that men still seem to be dying in higher than expected numbers, and their bodies don’t seem to be decaying as quickly as they should. The governor, Baranzone, appoints a young lawyer, Stefano Bracchi, to investigate – discreetly, to avoid a panic. Soon Stefano will realise that a poisoner is at work, one who operates through a gang of women, selling their wares to beaten wives and daughters…

This is based on true events, although Mazzola has made some changes and filled in some of the many blanks in the historical record, all of which she explains in her afterword. The unfortunate thing about real life is that it tends not to play out as excitingly as fiction. Here we know from the beginning who the poisoner is and it’s not hard to guess how it will end. So it turns into a lengthy description of the investigation, complete with the imprisonment and ill-treatment of several of the women in the gang and one or two of the women who had bought and used the poison. To be perfectly frank, I found it dull. The story could have been told in a fraction of the space, and would probably have been more effective. Alternatively, since she was fictionalising the story anyway, Mazzola could have hidden the identity of the poisoner and made that the mystery element. As it is, there is no mystery and therefore very little tension.

Mazzola does her best to make the characters of the poisoner, the gang and the investigators interesting, but, while I sympathised with the women to the extent that they were oppressed and often cruelly treated, the overwhelming air of misandry wore me down. Maybe all Roman men were constantly beating their wives and daughters to death, but I felt the book badly needed a contrast of some good men who behaved well. Stefano is not cruel by nature, but he is tediously weak, unable to face either torturing the women or defying Baranzone’s orders. The only good man with a conscience is Marcello, the doctor who helps Stefano in his investigation. He isn’t enough to balance it. Every woman in the gang seems to have had at least one and often several husbands, all of whom had been cruel and tyrannical, and many of whom the women had murdered. Times change, and I accept the women of that period may/must have felt they could do nothing else but murder violent spouses or die themselves, but somehow I couldn’t find it in my heart to see a woman who sold poison for money to any woman claiming victimhood, without even checking, as any kind of feminist heroine. So, much though I tried to sympathise, the tone of the book simply didn’t sit well with me. Frankly I’m tired of misandry in current fiction writing. And I’m tired of every female author thinking she has to make female victimhood the central theme of every book. Is that all we are? Perpetual victims of evil men? There must be other stories to be told about women, surely.*

Add to all of this that it is written in the present tense. For some reason. 2½ stars for me, so rounded up.

* (Yes, I know other women are writing other stories, but I was feeling bitter when I wrote this… ;) )

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

📖 Book Review

The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola
Orion, 21st March 2024

17th century Rome; prosecutor Stefano Bracchi is ordered to investigate a series of deaths where the bodies retain their natural colouring and decomposition is delayed.
In the city, women help one another with childbirth and trade potions. Anna, a young wife, tries to flee her abusive husband, but this world was made for men.

As Stefano pursues the case, the writing flows well, and the accumulation of the accused under arrest held my interest. My emotions came to the fore with the helplessness and mistreatment of women at this time. This is historical fiction woven with truth in the most appalling, heart-rending, and thought-provoking way. It's dark, immersive, gothic, and gripping.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Anna Mazzola and Orion for providing an eARC via NetGalley; this is my unbiased review.

Anna Mazzola's The Book of Secrets, which combines historical fiction with ominous, rich aspects, is a gripping exploration of 17th-century Rome. The story revolves around Stefano Bracchi, a detective assigned to look into strange deaths. It explores the lives of women like Girolama and Anna, showing their resilience and challenges in a world where males rule. The complex depiction of female unity at a difficult time and the atmospheric poetry were captivating. The richness of the characters and environment kept me interested even if I occasionally thought the pacing was a little sluggish. I liked how history and fiction were combined, and I thought it was interesting how thoroughly women's lives were examined during that time.

The book of secrets was an absolutely fascinating journey into post-plague Rome. Stefano is an inquisitor who has been given what he believes to be an opportunity to further his career by investigating the strange death of a dyer. As he delves deeper into an alleged poisoning spree across Rome, Stefano faces up to the man he wishes to be and the man he risks becoming. Girolama is a midwife and purveyor of all potions who has found a way to help women in need.
This was a book that was difficult to put down. I loved the solidarity of the female characters and often felt the surge of injustice about the way in which women were treated and viewed. Mazzola really brings Rome to life through her writing.
This was a brilliant read.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

An interesting perspective on Rome in 1659 told through the stories of different characters all caught up in an investigation into the unexplained deaths of a number of men.
While this is a sort of murder mystery it provides a social commentary on the treatment of women and perhaps the implications for what can happen when a group is downtrodden or even invisible.

I assume this novel was inspired by the story of Giulia Tofana, a professional poisoner of XVI century who helped women to poison their abusive husbands.
It's a well plotted novel told by different POVs and that make you see how they investigated in those ages and how the fear of women could be a powerful tool.
There're some grim scene, a plot that always kept me turning pages, a vivid historical background and a solid plot.
Anna Mazzola is a master storyteller and this novel is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Another brilliant read from Anna Mazzola. This time set in 17th century Rome, it is a gripping historical novel that shows us what life was like for women of this time. Society was dominated by men and women were very much seen as possessions. The descriptions of the time and place are vivid and compelling and clearly very well researched. Highly recommend.

A gloriously sumptuous book. The descriptions of Italy were rich and vivid. Cleverly written to tease out the reality of women living in abusive marriages with no way out, I found this to be thought provoking. (Hard to say too much without giving the plot away!) The fact that it is inspired by true events intrigued me and I've gone down a rabbit hole since then looking into the stories of the women in this story.

"The Book of Secrets" by Anna Mazzola is a story set in 17th-century Rome. It is a gripping historical mystery that explores the lives of women in a patriarchal society. The story follows Stefano Bracchi, a young lawyer who is tasked with investigating a series of mysterious deaths. Throughout his investigation, he encounters Girolama, a midwife and healer, and her friends.
As I delved into the book, I was struck by Mazzola's vivid portrayal of life in 17th-century Rome. The author's attention to detail is impressive, and she brings the city to life in an immersive and evocative way. The characters are well-drawn and complex, and I found myself becoming deeply invested in their stories.
One of the things that sets this book apart is its exploration of the role of women in society. Mazzola doesn't shy away from highlighting the brutal reality of women's lives during this period - their lack of agency, their vulnerability to abuse, and their limited options. But she also shows how women found ways to resist, to fight back, and to take control of their own lives.
Girolama is a remarkable character, and her story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her determination to help others, despite the danger and difficulty she faces, is a testament to her strength and resilience. Her relationships with the other women in her circle are beautifully drawn, conveying a sense of sisterhood and solidarity that's all too rare in historical fiction.
The mystery at the book's heart is engaging and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me on my toes. But it's not just the plot that drives the story forward - it's also the characters' emotional journeys, their struggles, and triumphs, that make this book so compelling.
Mazzola's writing is lyrical and evocative, with a keen sense of atmosphere and setting. Her descriptions of Rome's streets and buildings are vivid and immersive, making it easy to picture the city in all its beauty and ugliness.
Overall, "The Book of Secrets" is for anyone who loves historical fiction, mystery, or stories about strong women. It's a book that will stay with me for a long time, haunting me with its imagery and themes.

What a clever, immersive, spell-binding novel! I absolutely loved it!

We are plunged into 17th century Rome, where women strive to survive in a world where domestic abuse is not just rife but largely normalised and unpunished. Society turns a blind eye so long as the women just shut up and get on with it. Yeah, so not MUCH different to today.

Stefano has been appointed to investigate why some men who have died still look rosy and fresh rather than decaying as they normally would. Then there's Anna, terrified that her violent husband will kill her, her unborn baby, or both. And Girolama, a woman who helps women with childbirth -- and perhaps more.

The setting and characters are vividly and beautifully portrayed. The story is as old as time, with women taking the brunt of male violence while the authorities just look to protect men and those in the upper echelons of society. Meanwhile, women struggle silently and carry unbearable secrets until they become desperate. If they're lucky, they'll find other women who can help them.

The Book of Secrets is an emotional read and wonderfully executed. It combines timeless social commentary with a gripping, thrilling story. This is historical fiction at its best, immersing the reader in the time and place while remaining relevant to the present day. It is also women's fiction at its best, portraying the truth of lived experiences that many women will recognise and empathise with, even if their own lives have been safe(r).

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

Wow such a powerful read that portrays the injustices of women perfectly. Set in 17th century Rome we follow Stefano a new investigator trying to uncover what's causing men to die yet still look rosy and fresh. Girolama a woman who helps women with child birth as well as finding solution to the male figures in their lives who choose violence and pain towards the ones they are supposed to protect . We also follow a perspective of Anna a expectant mother who is out of ideas when it comes to her abusive husband. This is a tale of misjustice and a system that only looks out for those of a high class, throughout the book we see how the man in charge doesn't care how he gets the truth and he doesn't care if the women are the truth he just wants the solution to be found quietly whilst secrets are doing there best to be hidden

As Rome recovers from the plague outbreak in the mid-17th Century there are still men dying. However, these men don't show the normal symptoms and their bodies don't decay as they should. Young prosecutor Stefano is tasked to investigate and, keen to make his name, he makes enquiries. These lead him to the 'aqua', a colourless, tasteless poison which originated in Sicily and to a group of women determined to escape from the cruelty of their menfolk.
I really got engrossed in this novel as the writing is really spare and hypnotic. There are aspects of the supernatural of which I am not a fan but not enough to make me dislike the story. Reading the endnotes I was surprised to see that it is based on a true case with only a few minor alterations for plot enhancement and I have to praise Mazzola for weaving such an excellent story.

The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola
Having read The Clockwork Girl by this author I was looking forward to reading this novel. It is set in Rome in 1659 and is loosely based on a real case which occurred at this time. It paints a vivid portrait of the terrible situation in which many women at the time found themselves. Their husbands had the right and were almost encouraged to chastise their wives in any way they felt appropriate. Women, whatever their social status, had no power and the law failed repeatedly to protect them.
So some of the women found desperate means to try and save themselves from their torment. At the beginning of the novel Stefano Bracchi, is tasked by the Governor of Rome to find out the cause of death in some men who have displayed some unusual features and whose bodies have not decayed in the usual way. He was a sickly child and his older brothers mock him for his weakness. The story is told through the eyes of Stefano, Anna who is pregnant and trapped in an abusive marriage to a French painter and Girolama a Sicilian woman with a knowledge of herbs and potions.
Stefano is keen to prove himself capable and so he pursues these women, but does he understand the true horrors to which they have been subjected? The characters are well drawn and the descriptions of their lives are powerfully moving. I will definitely be recommending this book to others at my various book groups. Many thanks for the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

The Book of Secrets alternates between three points of view: Stefano Bracchi, judge turned inquisitor, keen to prove he is not the weak character his father believes him to be; Anna, wife of a failed artist whose disappointments are expressed in violence; and Girolama, a Sicilian woman skilled in midwifery and the creation of herbal remedies. One particular ‘remedy’ of hers has become sought after, a recipe handed down and recorded in the ‘book of secrets’ of the title and distributed via a network of female associates to women in need of escape.

Although Stefano knows only that he has been asked to investigate a series of suspicious deaths amongst men of Rome, all of which exhibit unusual features, the reader knows from pretty early on what Girolama and her assistants are doing and why. It becomes less a mystery more an interesting moral question about whether the women’s actions are justified, but no less absorbing for that. It’s a question that even Girolama begins to ask herself, especially once many of her assistants are rounded up as part of the investigation. And can she be sure that in every case, the action was justified, that every man who died was an abuser or merely an obstacle standing in the way of financial gain? She’s strong but can her associates exhibit similar strength?

Stefano also faces a dilemma as he is forced by his superiors to use more and more severe methods – many of which are harrowing to read about – to try to extract confessions from Girolama and her associates. Is the suffering he is inflicting on the women justified merely in order to further his career? He finds himself wondering what kind of man has he become and wishing he had listened to his sister, Lucia, who warned him about the dark place his investigation might take him, and that it was a poisoned chalice.

Although inspired by real events, the author freely admits in the Historical Note that she has allowed herself a degree of artistic licence in places. That didn’t bother me at all as the book immerses the reader in the sights, sounds and smells of 17th century Rome. It’s a male-dominated society, though, one ‘preoccupied with honour, status and vendetta’. Women have few, if any, rights meaning they must find their own way to fight back. And it’s a society in which if you have power and influence you need not fear being brought to justice. I found it a compelling story and, even though it involves an investigation and a trial, more nuanced than a straightforward historical mystery.

Acceptance, forbearance, resignation. That is the fate of the women of Rome. Men seem to be dying from unexplained pestilence, whilst their bodies remain intact instead of decomposing in death. Stefano Bracci the youngest son of an impatient and disinterested father, is sent to the Governor to head up an investigation, so he must do a good job of solving the mystery in order to secure his career, but mostly to persuade his father that he is not an sickly weakling.

Meanwhile women all over Rome are seen as uncivilised creatures of sin, their abuse bidden by law and the will of the church. Girolama and her band of female co-workers are rebalancing this condition with their recipes for whatsoever shall ail women. These handed down secrets are sacred and belong in the libra di segreti. One recipe in particular, the one for Aqua, is the one Girolama will not share with the others in her group. This recipe helps women in danger of being crushed. And they are in this danger because the Malleus Malificarum concluded that women are more predisposed to doing the Devil’s work than men. If that doesn’t want to make you read a story about a circle of women who rise up against men then I don’t know what would!

Stefano’s investigation takes him to places both physically – the Tor di Nona prison, and mentally – how far he is willing to go to extract the “truth”, that he never thought he would go. Can he live with this? There is a turning point. When Marcello the Doctor assigned to support the investigation, abandons him, Stefano has a choice to make.

What I liked about this book:

It’s full of phrases like “pulled on her chicken skin gloves”.

It’s history with a creative flair.

The story focuses on the subjugated lives of women who group together to empower themselves.

The characters are revealed for all their insecurities, flaws and beliefs before they start to intertwine.

Themes include but are not limited to beliefs, traditions, women’s roles, women’s rights, early modern Christianity, Rome, physical abuse, mental abuse, family relationships, expectations, death, superstition, curses, magic and secrets.

In her words the author Anna tells us… For a detailed account of the real prosecution, Craig Monson’s Black Widows of the Eternal City provides a fascinating read.

I highly recommend The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola.

I’ll be honest and say I DNF’d this book at 40%. I liked the concept and in particular, the chapters from Anna’s perspective. However it seemed far too slow paced. I felt like had been reading for a long time, but hadn’t gotten very far.
I am in the minority, not being enthralled with the book. It’s probably a case of right book, wrong time. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Intriguing story set in 17th century Rome of poisoning, witchcraft & the consequences.
Rich description & a plot that keeps you page turning!

4.5 stars
This is a fascinating story of strong women and their fight in such a patriarchal world. The lives of Girolama and the women were so tough - it was clear from the very beginning how necessary the Book of Secrets was for their survival. I really enjoyed seeing how they rallied for eachother - the support provided so necessary.
The heritage of the healing women from mother to daughter, from country to country was really interesting and I loved learning about Girolama’s history through the use of the herbs and plants shown to her by the strong women in her family.
I thought the character of Stefano was really well written - his anguish at understanding what had driven these women to do the things they’d done was evident, but he was so keen to prove himself.